There are a surprising number of individuals and families in crisis in Halton. Their physical and financial needs can be adequately handled by government and community resources. What they need is the care and love of neighbours that can help mentor them through difficult times that could be the result of an illness, a marriage breakdown or loss of a job or business. The point is that some of our neighbours need a friend.
They need you to help them get through this difficult time by providing guidance and encouragement. Your time commitment might only be an hour a week, meeting them for coffee or maybe a period of several hours in one month helping them to find an apartment. Stanley Redwood, of the Kerr Street Mission (which operates Restore Halton) says the biggest problem in Oakville is loneliness. You can alleviate some of the loneliness.
Kerr Street Mission offers a one day training period to volunteers.
Nineteen diverse congregations in Halton with over 70 volunteers are participating in this program. Over 80 people have been helped. The Outreach Committee hope to see Maple Grove become involved in this program. We already have a strong cohort of Maple Grovers working at the mission. However, Stanley says that Restore Halton offers a new and special way to help those in need and has a proven track record.
Please contact Sandra Onufryk (Chair, Outreach Committee) if you can extend the hand of friendship to a lonely neighbour.
sonufryk@cogeco.ca or 905-844-5886